Chennai: The DMK on Saturday hit back at PMK founder S. Ramadoss for accusing its president M. Karunanidhi of “ruining generations” by lifting prohibition in 1971. Describing Ramadoss’ statement as an “outburst” as his “dreams” of making his son Anbumani Chief Minister had been “shattered”, DMK’s principal headquarters secretary, Duraimurugan wondered why Ramadoss had “concealed” facts that Karunanidhi, who originally lifted prohibition in 1971, restored it in 1974 and about the AIADMK government under M.G. Ramachandran later allowing opening of toddy shops.
Ramadoss on Tuesday accused the DMK chief of ruining generations by lifting prohibition in 1971, overlooking a plea by Rajaji then. The PMK founder, who accused Karunanidhi of making the promise with next year’s polls in mind, took potshots in response to the DMK chief’s promise on Monday that prohibition would be enforced if his party were to be voted back to power in 2016.
Referring to the past speeches of Karunanidhi in the Assembly and in public, attributing the delay in enforcement of prohibition to fund crunch, Duraimurugan said he had implemented prohibition again in 1974 (but) MGR had opened toddy shops in 1981 with AIADMK government allowing private liquor factories in 1982-83. Also questioning Ramadoss’ silence on the Jayalalithaa regime nationalising liquor sale in 2003, Duraimurugan asked why the PMK founder was singling out Karunanidhi.
